A patient returned from a procedure and has vital sign measurements ordered every hour. The patient's blood pressure has dropped from 132/82 mm Hg an hour ago to 90/66 mm Hg. What priority action by the nurse is most appropriate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse uses clinical judgment to determine how often the patient's vital signs should be checked when there is a change in patient condition. The nurse should plan to assess vital signs more often in this patient. Since this is a significant change, the nurse should not wait another hour even though this is what the provider prescribed. It is not necessary for another nurse to double-check the vital signs. Documentation needs to occur, but the priority is to plan to take the vitals more often.

A Patient Returned from a Procedure and Has Vital Sign